Return to Transcripts main page

Showbiz Tonight

A Tribute to Legendary Icon, Dick Clark, Who Died Today; The Producer of The Bachelor and The Bachelorette is Facing a Lawsuit

Aired April 18, 2012 - 23:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

A.J. HAMMER, HLN HOST (voice-over): Big news breaking tonight on "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT." The death of America`s oldest teenager, Dick Clark dead at 82.

Tonight we say goodbye to the man who changed television forever.

"American Bandstand." "New Year`s Rockin` Eve." "The American Music Awards."

Tonight, "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" is coast to coast with the latest reaction to the loss of an American icon. From the stars who Dick helped make famous to the generations of fans who rock around the clock, thanks to him.

Tonight, we remember an American legend.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

HAMMER: Hello, I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. And, thank you for watching.

We have big news breaking tonight, the death of Dick Clark.

Tonight, "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" is bringing you complete coverage, the star reactions and the tears and tributes to the legendary TV producer and star, who, was known as America`s oldest teenager.

Dick Clark died today at the age of 82 after suffering a heart attack.

Our coverage begins in Hollywood with "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s" Nischelle turner -- Nischelle.

NISCHELLE TURNER, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: A.J., Dick Clark had been ill for some time and even after he suffered a stroke in 2004 and revealed he had diabetes, hi continued working, still appearing every year`s eve on his annual special from Times Square with Ryan Seacrest to cover the hosting duty. And late today, Ryan Seacrest tweeted this,

"I`m deeply saddened by the loss of my dear friend Dick Clark. He has truly been one of the greatest influence in my life. My thoughts and prayers are with his family."

And the voice host Carson Daily whose new year`s eve show would show opposite Dick tweeted. "I`m forever indebted to Dick Clark and his legacy."

You know, Dick Clark will be forever known for his iconic show "American Bandstand." He debut in 1956, and it would feature some of the most legendary performers in music including Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry.

Now, the TV producer, he brought us everything, from the American Music Awards to the Golden Globes, to iconic game shows like the 25,000 pyramid to TV`s bloopers and practical jokes.

And A.J., perhaps this Richard summed up in a tweet today when she wrote, "We lost a legend."

HAMMER: A legend, Nischelle and an incredible influence on really, a generations of people who do what we do.

I had the great fortune of interviewing Dick Clark for the very first time I met him, it was back in the 1990s when I worked for VH1 and it was perhaps one of the few times I have ever been nervous about having a guest come in. You know, I have been interviewing some of the biggest stars on the planet.

But this was Dick Clark, this was the guy who I aspired to be like. I wanted to somehow have the smallest bit of success in radio and television that he had because I loved music and I knew that Dick loved music and I love bringing music to people. And it really is a lot of the reason why I followed the path that I followed.

And after the interview, Dick paid me the finest complement and told me what a great job I did and I`m sitting there, really? Are you kidding me? Dick Clark is telling this to me. And it was something that warmed my heart back then and it made me particularly emotional sad when I heard the news. But, wow. What a life. What a career.

"SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s" Nischelle Turner, thank you so much.

From Dick Clark`s long running television and radio career, to his private family life.

Tonight, many of the music icon`s long-time friends are sharing fond memories of how Dick Clark, not only change their lives, but would go on to make rock and roll and TV history.

As a child actor on the "Patridge Family" series, Danny Bonaduce was one of those fortunate enough to work alongside Dick Clark and then, did the one to work together again on the NBC day time talk show, "the other half."

Danny, joining me from Seattle tonight.

DANNY BONADUCE, ACTOR (via telephone): Hey, A.J. How are you, buddy?

HAMMER: I`m OK. I think I`m feeling a little emotional as you probably are today, having for me had somebody who`s Dick Clark largely impact the direction my career took. I know you had a much more personal experience, knowing Dick. I know you worked with him on the all male talk show, "the other half." What was it like to work with him on a daily basis back then?

BONADUCE: To work with Dick, everybody -- it`s funny, nobody expects the real answer to that. It was really me, Mario Lopez and Dick Clark. Mario and I would, you know, like fool around and punch each other in the arm and do gross boys stuff. And aside from the actual hitting, we hit Dick Clark. He was one of the guys. We pulled practical jokes on him. He was a great guy.

HAMMER: Yes. it was amazing to me that he probably -- too many people had this perception particularly was of his business acumen of being this tough and stand offish guy. He was very loose and very fun and he was so good and effortless at making it look so easy that you would think that he must be so super focused all the time. It was so great to hear that he was actually just one of the guys making the jokes with you.

BONADUCE: You want to know something else that just astonished me and just flashed back in my mind, because he only said I one time on "the other half." But, I was talking about being patriotic. And he said - and I figure out that has something to do with his brother. He has a an American flag, a flag pole in his front yard that he lowers every night at 6:00, folds properly puts away and re-raises the next day every day of his life.

HAMMER: Wow.

BONADUCE: That is a true American.

HAMMER: Unbelievable.

BONADUCE: Yes. That really surprised me, because it`s one thing to say, but that`s some real effort.

HAMMER: Yes. That requires a little bit of effort. I think something that will surprise a lot of people is how far back your connections to Dick Clark go.

BONADUCE: Dick became an instant local celebrity in Philadelphia and had to do commercials for his shows and put me in my very first job at 2-years- old at a commercial in Philadelphia. And then, he was very good friends with my grandfather and my parents. So, we stayed in touch my entire life, well his entire life. And when he made it big, he never forgot us. When I had my troubled years, he never forgot me because that something near and dear to his heart.

He was - he was exactly what her is. When they say, America`s longest living teenager, well, that was one thing. But, you know, he was America`s longest living friend. He really was a patriot to this country, a wonderful man and never forgot a favor.

HAMMER: And few people in our business as driven as Dick Clark, I think in obvious testament to that is the fact that he continued to work, he continued to work, he continued to show up on new year`s eve all of this years after his stroke. What do you think was at the core of what drove him and made him want to stay on the air for really all of his life?

BONADUCE: Well, I wouldn`t say that he was a workaholic or anything like that, I think -- and this is, you know, this is Danny Bonaduce, so you can take it with a grain is growing on. But, when you find something that you are the best at, you just don`t want to give it up.

Showbiz is not a game. A lot of people think it is, Dick Clark was not one of them. I remember we were sitting in a meeting, and I was there, Dick was there and people started coming in and he said, are we going to start this meeting sometime today?

And I said Dick, the meeting is starts at 11:00, and he looked at his watch and he looked at his watch and said, but it`s 11:03. And he wasn`t kidding. The meeting was scheduled for 11:00, started at 11:00. The man was the nicest man in the world, but, he was also a pro amongst pro.

HAMMER: He was all about this as he pulled no punches, the very first time I met him, Danny. After we sat down, he would come in to my show for an interview. We went into any dressing room. He closed the door and he looked me right in the eye and said what do you want to do?

And I told him, you know, I`m on the path, this is what I`m enjoying. And he said what kind of ideas do you have? You know, he had this big production company and I told him about one particular idea I had, that I always thought that it great viable deal. He just - he looked me right in the eye and said, trip my heads and, we thought about that. You can`t monetize it, so that`s not going to happen. What else do you want to do?

And he would really pull no punches about. But look. that kept everybody on tack and made him extraordinarily successful and unbelievably wealthy man.

BONADUCE: As shown as attacked - I mean, my father had a stroke and he had all his mental facilities about him. But as Dick as I understand. But the body that was slowed down and Dick Clark worked up until his dying day. And, you know, it sounds like in some stories that the poor man worked until his dying day, that`s probably the best thing that could ever happen to Dick Clark was to work until your dying day. That`s what he loved, that and his wife Krissy, that`s who he loved the most.

HAMMER: So, of course, Danny. We all first got to know you on the "Partridge Family." What was your interaction - I`m just trying to recall with --

BONADUCE: By the way, Dick Clark was on the "Partridge Family."

HAMMER: Well, I was going to say, what was the interaction between the "Partridge Family" and Dick Clark and the "American Bandstand"? There was a connection that I remembered and it was him being on the show.

BONADUCE: Well, David Cassidy, I believe was on "American Bandstand." But, I had -- there was - at the show to the "Partridge Family" where some reporter that had written, the "Partridge Family" is a great band, but the real pout star with his impish grin was Danny Partridge.

And then, I had a dream sequence where I fell asleep, and I had a dream and in my dream, Dick Clark came up and gave me a Grammy. And it was, you know, even, even when I was in 1972, even. He was in your dreams. He was that big. That is a career that, you know, a lot of careers last a long time. Careers that last at the height of the career, for that long of a time, from 1974, he`s such a big star. He`s in my dream sequences as giving me a Grammy, that`s the top of the game until the very end.

HAMMER: Of course Danny got to see the Dick Clark genius at work up close and personal. But there are so many lives that Dick touched through his TV shows, for more than 50 years, that`s unbelievable.

For 50 years, doesn`t that just blow your mind? Five decades.

Coming up, more of "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s" continuing coverage as we remember the life and legacy of Dick Clark.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE REPORTER: If you don`t mind me pointing out, you are 67 years old. Is there a quiet requirement in your future at any time soon?

DAVID CLARK, TV ICON: It all depends on what the man upstairs has in store for me health wise. At the moment, I`m in real good health. If I stay healthy, I just want to keep working until he takes me with.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HAMMER: Well, he worked until the very end. Dick Clark dead today of a heart attack at 82 years old.

We continue to remember this legendary TV host, producer. And just a truly amazing man.

With me right now from Hollywood, Omarosa Manigault, our west coast editor of reality "Weekly Magazine," also worked with Dick Clark.

With me in New York is Charlotte Trigs, who is writer for "People" magazine.

Omarosa, let me start with you. You did work with Dick Clark for a time. Tell me about that, how did you know him exactly?

OMAROSA MANIGAULT, WEST COAST EDITOR, REALITY WEEKLY: Let me be very clear, Dick Clark productions had a big hand on reality TV, with "so you think you can dance." He did a show called "celebrity boxing." The show I got to work with him was called ` the greatest moments of 2004 and 2003, he did. And it was so fantastic to just see how just smart he was and how he really knew this business inside and out.

He knew how to give good TV and after I did the show, "the greatest moments," he invited me and my mom to the AMAs. And so, I got to see him at work at the AMAs where he was happy, he was comfortable, and absolutely everybody at the AMAs embraced him, they loved him. And we got to see him behind the scenes totally in action, and totally, completely comfortable in his role as a big television mogul.

HAMMER: Yes. He was very a very deserved reason known as a true professional through and through, very much about business when it came to business. But also, known as a super nice, fun guy. Was that the side you got to see with him working with him directly?

MANIGAULT: I did. You know, at the time I was kind of going through a little issue and I kind of confided in him about some of the things -- the decisions I had to make after "the apprentice" and he says whatever you do, figure out a way to stay on television, and it will work out. Just keep - keep yourself on TV you won`t have to worry about the particular issue I was worried about. But his advise was that, it is business first and then show. So, showbizness, you have to put the business first and he was a true show business man.

HAMMER: And as a guy who pulls no punches in life, particularly in business Omarosa, I`m betting, knowing you, he appreciated that. You are that way. That`s the kind of person we got to know you as of course on "the apprentice."

And look, he has been a mainstay on TV perhaps longest of anybody who has remained on TV, over the past many years going back to ""American Bandstand"," bringing in new year`s eve every year, host of "new year`s rockin` eve."

Charlotte. That was the impact that we saw. But, to be clear, he had an enormous impact where he didn`t see his face on television.

CHARLOTTE TRIGGS, WRITER, PEOPLE MAGAZINE: Right. Well, he is responsible for producing a lot of show over the year that, you know, he wasn`t necessarily the star of. I mean, this is someone who is very prolific as a producer as well.

But, obviously, everybody remembers him from ban stand that was on air for 20-plus years. And, you know, he has launched the careers of a lot of musicians that were on that show as well. So, you know, that`s also something he can basically take credit for.

HAMMER: Yes. I mean, if we think back at those 30 years of "American Bandstand," we saw him introducing American audiences to really every hot music act that came in to being. I can`t remember a single big star, Omarosa, from Madonna to Michael Jackson that he didn`t have a hand in putting on the show and helping their career along.

MANIGAULT: But I think he also helped people in a different way. There were a lot of things that happened behind the scenes that you won`t see in front of the camera. He was wise, he was an advisor to many and I think that his reach will be felt long into years to come.

HAMMER: There`s no question about that. And one of the things we always remember about Dick is that youthful look and his youthful spirit.

Charlotte, I don`t think anybody could deny that we saw Dick Clark on TV and he always looked like he was having a good time, because from what everybody I ever understood about him is he loved being on TV and he loved music through and through.

TRIGGS: Right. Well, he loved the business. And they actually call him America`s oldest teenager because, you know, he was famous for the youthful look. I think he was probably one of the first people who put, you know, the tanning look that`s so prevalent in Hollywood right now on the map.

And, you know, he loved the music and that was part of his passion, that really, you know, just kind of kept him youthful and he talked about that as something that, you know, kept him young, from just this young of everyone pop culture.

HAMMER: And it`s for 40 years now that we have seen him ringing in the new years. Omarosa, New Year`s eve and Dick Clark will forever go hand in hand won`t they?

MANIGAULT: Absolutely. I mean, there`s no question that when you put on the television on new year`s eve, you expected to see that smile, you expected to see that warm personality into your living room and really bringing in the New Year`s with him. It was a tradition for my family and I`m sure for your family as well, A.J.

HAMMER: Around the world. I watched him in India one new year`s eve.

Charlotte, Omarosa, thank you both so much.

TRIGGS: Thank you so much.

HAMMER: We have been having a lot of great memories, but it`s also - it`s such an emotional day, such over whelming star reaction coming tonight to the death of Dick Clark.

Coming up next. Some of the biggest names in Hollywood with their emotional memories as "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" remembers, Dick Clark.

TEXT: Joan Rivers. Very sad to hear about Dick Clark. What a great life. What a great career. Relevant until the end. He will be missed!

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HAMMER: Well, the tributes continue to pour into the "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s" newsroom. And "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s" Nischelle Turner is standing by in Hollywood right now with more of those tributes to Dick Clark.

Nischelle, what have you got?

TURNER: Well, A.J., of course, for years, the crossroads of the world Times Square has been synonymous with Dick Clark`s New Year`s Rockin` Eve.

So, it`s only appropriate that "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" went on location at Times Square just hours ago and we talked to Donald Trump there. Here`s what he told us.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, BUSINESSMAN: Dick Clark was a great friend of mine. He lived in one of my buildings for many years in New York. He was just a real icon and so sad to hear. But this is a special place, because we`re here for the Olympics today, this whole Times Square, this whole place, and Dick Clark was such a powerful person. And such a great representative and this was the place it really took place.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

TURNER: Yes, Times Square and Dick Clark definitely go hand in hand. A.J., it`s going to be so hard to imagine what new year`s eve will look like and what it will sound like without the legendary Dick Clark.

You know, there are anything more tributes that are pouring in to the "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" newsroom. Joan Rivers just tweeted, "very sad who hear about Dick Clark, what a great life, what a great career, relevant until the end, he will be missed.

Senator John McCain, he tweeted this, "rest in peace Dick Clark, thanks for the many years of entertainment.

Jenny McCarthy worked with Dick Clark, she also tweeted, "rest in peace, Dick Clark, you were amazing to work with, you will be missed, xxoo."

HAMMER: Nischelle, I don`t think there`s anyone who does what you and do, was not in some way impacted in our career by Dick Clark.

TURNER: Yes.

HAMMER: What was that for you?

TURNER: You know, I heard you talk about this earlier, A.J., and it really struck me when you were doing the live shot earlier, and you talked about how just his words of encouragement and just the way he conducted his business really kind a gave you a spark.

And myself as well, I mean. All of us that are TV hosts, you saw ease on the air. And for me, that`s what I aspires to be, you put people at ease, you make people smile, and you just do good TV.

And, one of the things especially for me, you know, he went on the air and he kind of put a stop to the all white music scene for "American Bandstand" and it gave, you know, I know my mother and people of her generation, one o the first time faced-off, black and white people dancing together and having a good time. So, for me personally, that really stuck.

HAMMER: That was a big deal for him and making sure that the diversity of our country was truly represented on television.

TURNER: Absolutely.

HAMMER: You know, a very progressive at the time. But, what a great thing that he did.

Thanks so much, Nischelle.

Well, I have shared some of my personal memories of Dick Clark. But coming up next, someone who knew so, so well and worked with him during his long career, Danny Bonaduce, is sharing intimate, never before heard stories about his special relationship with Dick Clark. Some really fascinating stuff that you`ll want to hear, that is coming up.

More of "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s" continuing coverage as we remember America`s oldest teenager.

TEXT: Alison Sweeney. RIP Dick Clark, a legend. He will be missed. Much love to his family.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

HAMMER (voice-over): Big news breaking tonight on "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT."

Remembering an icon. Dick Clark, gone at 82 years old.

Tonight, "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" remembers the man dubbed America`s oldest teenager, and the legacy he left behind, from "American Bandstand" to "New Year`s Rockin` Eve," Dick Clark influence a generation of lives with some of the most iconic TV productions in American history.

Tonight, "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" honors the memory and legacy of a Hollywood legend.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HAMMER: Welcome back to "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT." I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.

Tonight, remembering an icon. Dick Clark entertained the world for decades and tonight, we`re all feeling the loss of a Hollywood great.

Just think about all of the things that Dick Clark brought to our lives. Who doesn`t remember celebrating music`s greatest hits with Dick on "American Bandstand"? Or watching all of these Hollywood hi jinx on bloopers in the 1980s.

And of course, we all rang in every new year`s eve with Dick Clark on Dick Clark`s "New Year`s Rockin` Eve." Dick was lovingly dubbed America`s oldest teenager because, of course, as of his youthful looks. But frankly, he kept us all young with the work he did.

And tonight, I would like to remember one of my heroes with another broadcast legend, Larry King, who joins me now by phone.

Larry, as a 15-year-old kid just getting started in radio and eventually moving to TV, there were basically two guys I had to look up to, and basically aspire to. One of them was Dick Clark and one of them was Larry King. And I`m so pleased is that you`re able to be here with us to share your thoughts having spent so much time with Dick over the years.

On the news of his passing, what are the thoughts that come to you?

LARRY KING, TV, RADIO HOST (via telephone): The first thought, that was so much sadness. I`m so happy that you put me in his company. He was a true legend. I give him a lot of credit as a broadcaster. He was a magnificent generalist. Dick Clark could do anything.

He was also a brilliant businessman. I nearly went to work for his radio network. When he tried to get me, I`m nearly left mutual to go to work from. Nobody pressured you more than Dick Clark. He was a great guest. He was always amenable, always there for you.

I think Ryan Seacrest is the perfect follow up for him, on taking over on that new year`s eve singing, and Ryan is most like Dick Clark in that respect. And Dick Clark I know had a hand in choosing Ryan to do that.

But there`s no one like Dick Clark, and as was pointed out, the mixes of blacks and whites to dance together was historic at the time he did it. No one was doing that on television. So he was a forerunner of many things, no one did it quite like Dick Clark. He was one of a kind and he will be sorely, sorely missed.

HAMMER: Sorely missed, but his impact is going to be felt for generations of television and entertainment to come.

And Larry, obviously it was tough for all of us, I think, to see Dick in his declining health over the last many years. But it was actually before he had his stroke when his health really took a turn that he revealed to you on your show that he had type 2 diabetes.

What do you remember him telling you about not letting his health in any way slow him down? Because he always said, he would work until the very end.

KING: Yes, he said that on the show, I assume there`s a tape there, and they ought to play it because he said that they had that announcement to make and no one knew what it was. Type 2 diabetes is very common now in America. It`s a disease that many, many people have, but he came right forward with it.

I was saddened to see him at the end. I`m not sure that it was the wisest thing for him to do to go on when he was slow like that and it was what are for him and it was difficult to hear him speak. What do you think? I`m not sure that was the wisest decision.

HAMMER: It`s interesting, Larry, there`s been a great deal of debate and, of course, many people who are stroke survivors themselves applauded him loudly for having the courage to get on and do that, and of course, he put up with some criticism and there was some mocking that went on.

But this is a guy that, you know, I really did believe, that if he wanted to do it, he should go ahead and do it. But what I always remember, Larry, and I think you`ll share this with me, is the ease with which he presented television. There was really nobody like him who just had that sense of ease and comfort whether he was talking to the biggest celebrity on the planet or just your average Joe down the street. Didn`t you find that about him?

KING: He had what you don`t teach, the camera liked him. And he came in to -- he entered the room easily. That`s been said about him. Well said. When Dick Clark came into the room, whether it be a set or into your actually room, he came in easily and you therefore took him easily. He was easy to be around. He made it easy for the guests, he made it easy for the viewer, he made it easy for the person in his company. He was -- that song, "gentle on my mind," that was - he was -- the only word that describes him is special.

HAMMER: Yes. And you know what, I think few people can appreciate, but you will totally get this, Larry. What a great guest he was because he understood, he was a guest like you, whenever you appear with me. You understood what the host needed out of him and when he was a guest on my show, years ago, he made it seamless, he really helped me make it a terrific segment.

KING: A good host knows what a good guest, when you`re a good host, you know when you`re a guest what the host wants and Dick delivered, as you have discovered. He delivered every time. I just always thoroughly enjoyed his company.

HAMMER: Well Larry, I always thoroughly enjoy hearing your thoughts and reflections and I do appreciate your taking a time to be with us tonight.

KING: Thanks, man.

HAMMER: Well, there`s no question that Dick Clark`s influence expands to generation. He had a profound impact on TV and radio star Danny Bonaduce who was one of those fortunate enough to work alongside Dick Clark. They worked together on the NBC daytime talk show "the other half."

Danny, joining me from Seattle tonight.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

HAMMER: When you think back in the history of radio, to the great countdown shows, really only a couple come to mind, and Casey Kasem`s name is the one that comes up, first and foremost, for most people, with the American top 40,which of course is now hosted by Ryan Seacrest.

But the one person that always gave Casey, and that show run for his money was Dick Clark with his weekly radio show and Dick really had a connection to all of these artists very personally much more so than Casey did. Casey was a great host. By it was Dick who knew these artists and spoke in the first person about them which is --.

BONADUCE: The stories and, you know, the last time I spoke to Paul McCartney and the last time I spoke to Elton John, he really could, he can do that and that`s what one of the things that made him great.

But the thing that made him great was that he was great. that everything you saw that, affable, wonderful, you know, real down homey kind of guy. That was Dick Clark. Dick Clark never came in like - to the studio - I mean, that guy, I asked him because when we had been friends a really long time. And I had always heard this my whole life.

And like I said, Dick Clark was, you know, one of the guys. You could really play kind of rough with Dick. And so, I looked at him one day and I said, hey, Dick, can I ask you something? He said sure. And I said, I have heard for the last ten years that you`re a billionaire, are you a real life billionaire?

And he sat and he thought for a minute. He said if I`m not, I`m really close.

(LAUGHTER)

BONADUCE: He really - I mean, and he was being serious. He wasn`t, you know, he wasn`t a shame. Like I said, he was a patriot, we were in a capitalist country. But he - I couldn`t believe he answered me. If I`m not I`m really close.

HAMMER: Or I have done something terribly wrong with all of the success that I had. And Danny, --

BONADUCE: It was amazing, do you know he owned two shrimp farms in the Dominican Republic and part of the phone company in Mexico?

HAMMER: Who knew?

BONADUCE: The guy -- he was just like he couldn`t stop. He was a machine and he was just the best at it. When he told you a story, you were enthralled. When he told you a speech about the Platters and how they got together.

Look. I didn`t care about the Platters. But when Dick Clark was done telling you about the group the Platters, it was like, wow, that was an amazing story.

And it`s just, he`s one of those guys that -- and I will say something else about Dick Clark. You talk about what a sweetheart of a guy he was, and he was, but he was also very fastidious. He was very serious about his - you know, showbizness is not a game. A lot of people think it is, Dick Clark was not one of them.

I remember when we were sitting in a meeting and I was there and Dick was there and people started coming in and he said, are we going to start inn meeting sometime today? And they said, Dick, the meeting starts at 11:00. And he looked at his watch and he said, and it`s 11:03 and he wasn`t kidding.

HAMMER: Well, I`m curious about this, Danny. And I mean this not in any way of a disparaging way about Dick, but he did have the reputation about being shall we say, very careful with money. He ran a very tight ship, you know, and that was sort of a business rep that he had. Did you see that or have an awareness of that/

BONADUCE: I did not see it. I heard about it all my life. Here`s what I have heard when I went to work with Dick Clark, performing with Dick Clark on "the other half."

I said -- they said working with Dick Clark, you`re going to never meet a nicer guy in the whole world. If you work for Dick Clark, he`s going to dot every I and cross every t. The man was all business. He did not fool around. And I don`t think of that a disparaging remark to say at all, but he was a rough task master. he was the boss and he did not like -- like I said about that, it`s 11:03 and the meeting started at 11:00, he did not like the idea that celebrity staff they roll him in approximately the time there that was supposed to be there.

Dick Clark could come down hard and heavy if he thought that you were disrespecting not him, but what he loved and that was showbiz.

HAMMER: So, Danny. At the end of the day, with all the time you got to spend with him, really throughout your life and as often as you were able to speak with him.

What is the one standout memory that you will always have with you, first and foremost of your mind?

BONADUCE: It`s funny because, you know, I`m sitting here thinking about this stuff because you are the very first, you know. I kind of, when I saw it come up on the news, I saw it come up on your channel.

I expected my phone to be ringing. And so, I started to think of -- because, you know really, to be honest with you, you want to sound articulate, and this is a great old friend and you want to do him justice.

But do you know what memory will stand out for me for the rest of my life about Dick Clark is? Everybody knows the money, everybody knows the success. Everybody knows the "New Year`s Rockin` Eve." I will remember a time on "the other half" when he challenged me to a push-up contest. He was 70 years old and I was 40. And he stomped me. I will always remember the day a 74-year-old man kicked my butt in a push-up contest on national TV.

HAMMER: Well, Danny Bonaduce, many things that have been said about you. You`ve been called many things, but you have never been called the world`s oldest living teenager.

That`s the title of Dick Clark, Danny. Danny, always great to talk to you.

BONADUCE: Always a pleasure, A.J., anything I can do for you any time.

HAMMER: Appreciate it.

BONADUCE: See you, buddy.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HAMMER: And there is more of big news breaking tonight. "The Bachelor" fire.

Tonight there`s a stunning new lawsuit claim "the bachelor" shows are racist. Ten years and 23 seasons later, no person of color has every been the bachelor or bachelorette. So could this mean big trouble for the very popular reality show? A former bachelor weighs in next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HAMMER: Welcome back to "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT." I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.

And tonight, the bachelor bias. Tonight, two men are claiming that they were rejected by ABC`s hit reality series "the bachelor" because they`re black.

And today, they have filed an explosive class-action lawsuit against ABC and the production company who producers the show. Take a look at this now.

These are all the bachelors in shows after ten years and a total of 23 seasons and as you see, not one person of color has been chosen to be the lead character in either of the bachelor or the bachelorette.

With us now from Hollywood, Matt Grant, who was the Bachelor back in 2008. Also, joining me from Hollywood, Omarosa Manigault, who starred in the dating reality series, "Omarosa`s Ultimate Merger" which was created with the idea of having diversity in dating shows. Omorosa is now the west coast editor of reality weekly magazine.

So guys, this is not the first time questions have been raised about the series. Last year, entertainment "Weekly" magazine asked the show`s executive producer, Mike Fleiss why there wasn`t more diversity in the series. Listen to what he said.

"We always want a cast for ethnic diversity, it`s just that for whatever reason, they don`t come forward."

Now Matt, I got to know, what was it like for you when you went through the casting process? Did you find that there wasn`t much diversity when you were competing for that coveted slot?

MATT GRANT, STAR, BACHELOR 2009: I was very lucky, I just got randomly found in London and I was straight in. I have to say, I don`t think having worked and being the lead in that show that season and worked with all the people around it, executive producers. I don`t think anyone has inheritably racist. I do think there is an issue. I asked questions myself why there was only one black girl cast in my season.

I think that, you know, the bachelor should reflect the demographic of the country. I think it fascicle that we have a black president but we have never had a black bachelor in almost ten years of airing the show.

So, listen. You know, I think this is what just and legit that needs to a re-assessment. I think Mike Fleiss needs to look at having a black bachelor or bachelorette. No doubt about it.

HAMMER: Yes. I mean. You look at it and it just doesn`t really make sense, it is not a reflection of our world in any way. Lot of dating shows out there.

And Omarosa, you starred on your own dating show, you certainly understand the screening process. Do you think the bachelor and bachelorette intentionally staying away from casting men and women of color in their lead roles?

MANIGAULT: Well, I think it is extremely disappointing that after 10 years and 23 season, that there has not been diversity. It`s not just in the bachelors, it`s in the fact that when the contestant are cast, when the one token African-American contestant is cast, they don`t make it past week three or four, and I believe that they have ever had an African-American make it past the third or fourth week of this show.

So, there`s something in the DNA of this show that does not reflect what`s happening in America. And it`s shameful and they should absolutely try to be more inclusive when they go forth with their casting.

And as Matt says, no one came out to cast for the bachelor, these folks go out aggressively looking for people to serve as the next bachelor and the next bachelorette.

So, it`s not about coming forward, it`s them going out and seeking diversity that`s needed in this case.

HAMMER: Yes. And --

GRANT: The problem is --

HAMMER: Go ahead, Matt.

GRANT: Sorry, A.J. The problem is, is that now the bachelor has gone through the policy of just internality casting from previous seasons. So, of course, because there are no black people or people of color in the cast, it means that it`s never going to change.

So, unless they actually proactively go and seek an individual of color, then this will just carry on.

HAMMER: Well, it would be ashamed if it takes the pressure of a law suit to force the producer to cast a person of color in the lead role. But if that what it takes, that would certainly be good to see. And I should point out that we did reach out to ABC and the production company for a response. As of show time, we had only received a no comment.

Omarosa Manigault. Matt Grant. I thank you both.

Stay with us. We`ll have special look back at the legendary Dick Clark who passed away today. Remembering an icon, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HAMMER: We have been remembering the iconic Dick Clark all evening long, but there are truly so few words to capture the impact Dick made on all our lives.

So here now, we remember Dick`s absolutely remarkable live and career.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE REPORTER: He was known as the world`s oldest teenager. Dick Clark began his career on the weekly dance party that would later be known as "American Bandstand" in Philadelphia in 1956. The show became a national and later an international sensation. After it was picked up by ABC, one year later.

In spite of the racial attitudes at the time, Clark was a pioneer in promoting African-American artist including Percy Sledge. The silhouettes, the Supreme and Gladys nice and the Pips.

An appearance on "American Bandstand" launched many a musical career and from Jerry Lee Lewis to Janet Jackson, they all wanted Dick Clark to give their record a spin.

CLARK: If you look at the history of "American Bandstand", it covers everything, from popular music back to big band days when we started 1952 with (INAUDIBLE) and Eddie Fisher and the boys and so forth, through the rock n` roll period, country music, rhythm and blues, rap music, heavy metal, it is everything.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE REPORTER: But music wasn`t his only beat. Clark proved a prolific businessman and television icon, hosting the game show, the $25,000 pyramid. TV`s "bloopers and practical jokes" and of course, the annual New Year`s Rockin` Eve broadcast. He turned hi Dick Clark productions into a multi-million dollar media empire.

CLARK: There will be some other surprises along the way.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE REPORTER: Clark created the American music awards in 1987 as a rival to the Grammys. Clark also had a hand in the global fund raising live aid and the grass roots farm aid. He was inducted into the rock and roll hall of fame in 1993.

CLARK: It has a night beat, you said the magic words.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE REPORTER: From the early days of rock to the present, Dick Clark had a way of bringing us the tunes that had a good beat where easy to dance to and memories of Saturday afternoon sock host.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HAMMER: Well, on a personal note tonight, Dick Clark has everything to do with why I do what I do. And how I try to do it. The man was a pioneer, a legend and a true inspiration to me and so many of my colleagues.

He was the measure, the standard, setting the bar for what we do and setting it very, very high and he told me once very early in my career that he believed in me and that went a very long way to allowing me to believe in myself.

So thank you, Dick and so long.

That is it for "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT." I`m A.J. Hammer.

Remember, you can catch SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusively week nights at 11:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific here on HLN.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

END